C—3a*

1904. NEW ZEALAND.

INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES REPORT. ("THE COAL-MINES ACT, 1891.")

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Mr. John Hates, F.S.Sc, Inspecting Engineer, to the Under-Secretary for Mines. g IR _ Mines Department, Wellington, 4th May, 1904. I have the honour to submit my report, covering the reports of the Inspectors of Mints for the several districts, on the coal-mines of the colony for the year ending the 31st December, 1903.

Output. The output of the various classes of coal mined in each district is summarised as under: —

I—C. 3a.

Class of Coal, &c. Northern Distriot. West Coast Distriot. Southern Distriot. Total. Bituminous and semi-bituminous coal ... Pitch-coal ... ••• ■•• ■•■ Brown coal... Lignite Oil-shale Tons. 101,519 108,276 Tons. 778,372 2,'660 Tons. 21,116 330,878 77,372 36 Tons. 879,891 21,116 441,814 77,372 36 Totals ... 209,795 781,032 429,402 1,420,229 In comparison wii increase of 55,189 torn ;h the output of :, which is macU the previous ye; up as follows : - ,r the foreeoin; summary shows a net total Class of Goal, &o. Northern District. West Coast District. Southern District. m ■. i Total Total De . Increase. oreftse Total Net Increase. Increase. DeIncrease. De_ crease. Increase. Decrease. crease. Tons. 8,758 Tons. Tons. 26,087 Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and semibituminous coal Pitch-coal Brown coal Lignite Oil-shale ... 8,992 1,129 4',521 12,133 4,129 2,302 Totals 17,750 27,216 16,654 6,431 61,620 6,431 55,189